Our hospital recently acquired a remote clinic that does not have access to any cable or dsl. They currently have a satellite internet connection but when we tested it with our VPN it didn't work at all. From what I have read VPN's just don't work well or at all with satellite internet connections? We have called all wired providers and they are not willing, or are not able to provide the service due to a lack of hardware technology in the area. I called 1 of the 2 cellular companies offering 4G data in the area (Us Cellular and AT&T) US cell has a 10GB monthly data cap with a $10 a GB overage charge, not sure on AT&T yet? The question is will VPN's work over cellular ok? And... if it does what questions will I need to address concerning the data caps e.g. VPN overhead, how to determine the clinics internet monthly data needs in GB's?? Thanks for any suggestions.

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Have you asked the local telco about a T1? I know it's slow(er) and expensive, but will have low latency and support a VPN well. Typically the telco's will run a T1 to places where they don't support DSL. You will probably pay $300-$500 per month (at least in our area.)

On the 4G, it depends on your usage (number of users, traffic, etc.) I could see you easily hitting $400 per month in usage. The 4G will be faster than the T1 and the VPN will probably work fine. Comparing reliability between the 4G and a T1 is tough. It will depend on 4G coverage versus what the carrier had to do to build out the T1. However, the T1 will get more attention from the carrier when it is down (in my experience.)

One other option would be Wifi. Do you have any wifi providers in the area? We have 3 around here, and their prices are much more reasonable for those out in the "sticks" that can get nothing else. You can usually get about 1 MB for $50 a month, some do faster for more money. The latency is much better, most don't have caps either. You might check around to see if there are any providers like this in the area.

One other option would be Wifi. Do you have any wifi providers in the area? We have 3 around here, and their prices are much more reasonable for those out in the "sticks" that can get nothing else. You can usually get about 1 MB for $50 a month, some do faster for more money. The latency is much better, most don't have caps either. You might check around to see if there are any providers like this in the area.

I've not heard of a WiFi service around here, I used to have one when I lived in Maine. Not sure that would be an option in our neck of the woods anyway? We are in the hills of West Virgina, not sure WiFi coverage would work too well here? I'll ask around anyway. Thanks for the info.

No WiFi available :( there are a few providers, just none in the area I need them. I'm waiting for a call from the telco on the T1. The 1st guy I spoke too had strong doubts so if that's off the table I'm really running out of options :-/

Maybe 4G is your best option then? I just hope your 4G is better than ours in Africa, as our 4G is like working good for 60 sec, and then no data for the next 10 sec. So VPN does not work at all on our 4G here. Futher more we have the same problem. T1 is too expensive this side. Our Telco charges about U$5000 for a T1 line a month. So this is still very expensive and not an option. So we are on DSL with a static ip, as this is the only inexpesive and best so far service we get. Unfortunatly is only goes to 4Mbps max. so not very fast as well, but enough for email server and internet banking and stuff. Wifi is avaliable but has caps on and is expensive as well. We pay for the Wifi about U$1 per MB. Which is a bit of a crappy deal if you use a lot of data.

Got a quote from telco for the circuit, the boss shut it down immediately due to price. Apparently He is going to a government meeting in the next few months to discuss funding for broadband in rural areas of WV. He seems to think he will be able to get the funding for the infrastructure? What they will do in the meantime.... I have no clue? Sneakernet I guess? Anything govt is going to take a lifetime for results.

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